Inside Valerie's House

At Valerie’s House, we believe in the power of community, connection, and shared experiences. One of the most heartfelt ways to bring people together is through food. Recently, families at Valerie’s House had the pleasure of enjoying an incredible meal crafted by Susan Rizzato and her child, Sol, who was visiting from Ohio. Their meal of authentic Mexican street tacos was not only a culinary delight but also a gesture of love and support for grieving families.

When a child loses a loved one, their grief looks different from an adult’s. They may experience a wide range of emotions—sadness, anger, anxiety—before shifting back to play. It’s important to remember that grief isn’t a linear process for children, and their emotions can change quickly.

Something beautiful is growing at the Fort Myers Family is Forever Home. Thanks to a talented professional artist who wishes to remain anonymous, we now have a stunning mural near the basketball courts that symbolizes growth, healing, and connection.

At Valerie’s House, we know that grief is not something that can always be put into words. That’s why our Grief Art activity has become such an important and meaningful part of the healing process for our kids, teens, and even their caregivers. This activity starts with a simple yet powerful question: What does your grief look like or feel like?

At Valerie’s House, where healing and connection are at the heart of everything we do, we believe in ending each group night on a calm and reflective note. One of the ways we help our kids and families pause, reset, and breathe is through something called Chocolate Meditation.

Last week, Valerie’s House hosted a meaningful and rare gathering, bringing together our entire team from across the state. Staff members from Southwest Florida met in person, while our Pensacola team joined us virtually through Zoom. It wasn’t just a time to connect—it was a moment to reflect on where we’ve been, where we’re headed, and to reveal our newly established Fundamental Values.

January is National Mentoring Month, a time to honor the life-changing impact mentors have on children and teens. At Valerie’s House, mentorship is a core part of our mission to help grieving families heal.

At Valerie’s House, we’re fortunate to have incredible people who make our mission possible. Aaron and Amber White are among those who truly embody the spirit of giving and connection.

For Nick and Evan, grief has been a journey of loss, healing, and discovery. Both teens faced profound loss at a young age—Nick lost his mom, and Evan lost his dad. Their experiences brought them to Valerie’s House, where they found support and a safe space to process their emotions.

From heartfelt gifts to thoughtful donations, your support ensured that grieving families felt cared for and connected during the holiday season. Your kindness made it possible for these families to find moments of joy and hope, and for that, we are forever grateful.

For the past five years, fourth-grader Chandler Ciccarello has held the title of Principal for the Day at Saint Michael Lutheran School in Fort Myers. This coveted position is an annual auction item that helps raise funds for the school, and Chandler’s family has successfully bid on the role each year. As part of her duties as Principal for the Day, Chandler takes on an initiative to give back to her community while spreading joy among her classmates.

We’re thrilled to introduce Four Questions with Friends of Valerie’s House, a new series that gives an inside look at the inspiring people who support our mission. Each segment highlights personal stories, connections to grief, and uplifting memories with Valerie’s House.

Valerie's House is thrilled to announce that our Founder and CEO, Angela Melvin, has received the prestigious 2024 “Nonprofit Leader of the Year” award from The Community Foundation of Southwest Florida! At the same awards ceremony, our Board Chair, Mike McMurray, was honored as “Board Member of the Year,” recognizing their exceptional leadership and dedication to supporting grieving families in Southwest Florida.

The Calusa Sportsman Foundation has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the children and families of Southwest Florida, raising an extraordinary $177,000 at the fourth annual Inshore Benefit held on September 6-7, 2024. This event, hosted at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, benefited both Valerie’s House and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County, helping these organizations continue their missions of providing essential services to children and families in need.

At Valerie’s House, we understand that grief is a deeply personal journey, and the ways people remember lost loved ones vary greatly. One meaningful way many express their love and remembrance is through memorial tattoos. In our Tattooed Grief episode of the Grieve Love Heal podcast, part of Season 3, we explore the powerful impact of grief-inspired tattoos as symbols of love, loss, and resilience.

Valerie’s House is thrilled to celebrate several of our key supporters being recognized as finalists in the 2024 Industry Appreciation Awards! This prestigious event, hosted by the Horizon Foundation, Horizon Council, and Lee County Economic Development Office, honors local businesses that contribute to the growth and success of Lee County.

We are honored to announce that Valerie’s House has received the Governor’s Faith and Community Initiative Certificate of Recognition, acknowledging our commitment to supporting vulnerable children and families across Florida.

At Valerie’s House, Omar and Rebecca Zucco are making a profound impact as group facilitators, helping grieving families find support and healing. Their shared commitment to the mission of Valerie’s House reflects the power of connection and the importance of grief counseling for both children and caregivers.

Grief is a powerful journey, and for Heather Tharpe Moorhead and Hailey Tharpe, their world changed forever when they lost their beloved husband and father, Matt, to a sudden heart attack in 2014. Hailey was just six years old at the time, and their lives were turned upside down. Seeking grief support, they found hope at Valerie’s House, a children’s grief center that provides emotional healing for grieving families.

At Valerie’s House, healing and helping go hand in hand. One person who truly embodies this belief is Janette L'Heureux, President of the Fort Myers Chapter of the Ladies Executive Golf Society (#LEGS). After the loss of her son, Josh, Janette found her own healing through volunteering at Valerie’s House, supporting grieving families in Southwest Florida.

In October 2024, Valerie's House will unveil a new Heart Memorial at the Fort Myers Family is Forever Home. This unique memorial, designed by Marcy Turner, serves as a powerful tribute to those we've lost and offers grieving families a way to honor their loved ones.

The highlight of the weekend wasn’t just about reeling in fish. It was about the connections formed and the community that came together. As the sun set, participants gathered for the Awards Dinner to celebrate the day’s successes and honor the event’s mission to give back. The live auction and festivities provided additional opportunities to contribute to Valerie’s House and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County, with the funds directly supporting our efforts to help children heal.

Valerie’s House was honored to be one of the beneficiaries of the 2024 Calusa Sportsman Foundation Inshore Benefit, a weekend filled with incredible memories. One standout moment was when several of our teens had the opportunity to fish with world-renowned Captain James Marko, also known as Goliath Fishing. With a large social media following and his own ESPN show, Captain James is a household name in the fishing community.

On Friday, August 30th, Lennar presented Valerie’s House with a $50,000 donation, continuing their incredible support for grieving families in Southwest Florida. Lennar has been a major partner in making our Family is Forever Fort Myers Home a reality, and their contribution is helping us expand our programs and services.

Discover how Valerie’s House helped Aniyah Celestine find purpose after the loss of her mother. Aniyah’s story of resilience and her journey to become a nurse anesthetist is a powerful testament to the healing and support provided by Valerie’s House.

Discover a heartwarming art exhibit at the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, showcasing artwork created by children from Valerie’s House as they express their grief, memories, and hope for the future. Visit before the display ends in 2024.

Losing a child is a heartbreaking experience, one that leaves parents grappling with immense grief. For many grandparents in Southwest Florida, this sorrow is deepened by the responsibility of stepping into a parenting role once more, raising their grandchildren. While this new reality brings its own challenges, it also reveals a remarkable strength and resilience that these grandparents possess. With the right support, they can find new hope and purpose in their roles.